Radical Christianity - Pt 3

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:18-25 ESV).

There are five ways the lifestyle of a servant shows God. God is being shown, because God is the key to this utterly counter-natural way of life. In other words for these people Christianity DID make a difference. The root of their fallen nature is severed by the axe of God. They now are living from radically different premises, different values, different priorities, a different focus altogether. Notice the five times that Peter connects to God this radical freedom from our old, natural spirit of retaliation. 1. First, it is not rooted in fear of man (v. 19). We do not endure sorrow and unjust suffering out of the fear of man or even out of our own weakness. Those are irrelevant. We bear it "for the sake of conscience toward God." That is, we take God into account. We look to God and not to our circumstances. God is the unseen factor for the world. 2. Second, it is because we have found favor with God (v. 20). I think what Peter means here is that God delights in behavior that reflects utter reliance on his grace when the supports of the world are knocked out. When a Christian, out of "conscience toward God," looks to God, then He is shown in it. And when God is shown God is pleased. 3. Third, we have been called to serve (v. 21a). Suffering unjustly in this world is not a coincidence for Christians; it's a calling. Suffering with patience shows God because it is an answer to his calling; it is obedience to our vocation. 4. Fourth, this was Jesus’ example (v. 21b). Enduring unjust suffering patiently shows God because it makes the suffering of Christ real to people. People can see that this is the way Jesus was. And if you have seen Jesus, you have seen the Father (cf. John 14:9). So this kind of demeanor shows God by showing Christ his Son. 5. Fifth, God will judge with righteousness (v. 23). When you endure unjust suffering "for the sake of conscience toward God," you are not saying justice doesn't matter; you are saying is that God is the final judge and will settle accounts justly. My abuser will not have the last say. God will have the last say. This is why I don't need to. I defer to God.